When selecting a roommate, consider legal, financial and personal factors that may affect all members of the household.
You may want to sign a roommate agreement because most leases that are signed by more than one roommate provide for "joint and several liability." This means that each tenant signing the lease is responsible for the full amount of rent due under the lease.
A roommate agreement to share the rent does not compromise the landlord's claim for full rent against any tenant, but it's a good idea to put your roommate understanding in writing. For more information, and suggestions for when your roommate skips town, click here.
Three Unrelated Residents